Talkin’ Trout in Fawnskin

So, as you know by now–GG was up a creek, Grout Creek to be more specific.

And, it was a bit odd that I find that I really don’t know all that much about the fresh water species. Eesh, and these fish are creating such a stir around these parts. People travel from all across the valley to watch them attempt to make it up the falls into the creek in the forest.

In the past, this have proven difficult. Captain John built a ladder to help them one year. However, with all the water and the snow melt, the sediment below the falls near the Fawnskin Post Office has reduced the jumping distance for them and made it possible for them to succeed in following nature’s lure to spawn upstream.

GG has been hiking the creek and crawling up and down the hillside in her quest for rainbow trout pictures but really just spying on them to see just how far they have made it upstream. The official report is that they have made it to the bridge up at Rim of the World.

It is possible they made it further up but I haven’t hiked past that location yet. Wes, Apache & Casey have been patrolling the creek on a regular basis snooping out the action on a regular basis and everyone is sharing the news about the fish around these parts.

Now people have been asking me a lot of questions about the rainbow trout and so have forced me, once again, to provide the breaking news that nobody else seems to cover–or bother with.

Rainbow Trout Facts (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) originally lived in lakes and streams in the western United States west of the Rocky Mountains from Alaska down to Mexico. They became popular with anglers and so have been transplanted into lakes around the world.

Rainbow trout coloration varies according to three different factors which include habitat, size, and sexual state. You are probably most familiar with those that are silvery with a pinkish or reddish lateral stripe. Sometimes the coloration will include lavender or orange and stretch from the gills down the length of the fish to the tail.

These fish will also have rows of small dark spots sprinkled on the head and sides with spotting on the fins but the underside of the fish is lighter with underside fins becoming a faint pink. Stream residents (and those ready to spawn) tend to darken and their colors become more intense.

In general, those that live in the lake tend to be lighter, brighter, and more silvery. In most cases, this is an adaptation to survival so that they blend better in their surroundings and so are not as vulnerable to predators.

Although this species can be found in schools as youngsters, they become solitary as adults. However, during spawning you will see them congregate in pairs or small groups. Usually this will be a female and a male or two. Rainbow trout are old enough to spawn by the time they are three to four years of age and the average lifespan is six to seven years.

Trout spawn by make a redd (nest of gravel) by body movement and tail fanning action. As the female lays the eggs, the male expels sperm for fertilization. Unlike many species, these trout do not die after spawning but can return year after year. If the creek doesn’t dry up, eggs hatch after four to seven weeks. These “alevins” remain in the gravel for about three more weeks and then transform and emerge as “fry.” Small fry might remain inn the stream or move into the lake.

It is difficult to tell the differences between male and female trout. Oncorhynchus refers to the “hooked snout” that males develop as they mature called a kype. Male trout also tend to be thinner on the top edge of the body (laterally compressed) than female trout and are usually brighter during the spawning than females. Although female trout tend to remain more rounded in the body and head, it is hard to really identify the difference in most cases.

So, that should cover just about all the questions people have been asking. If you have any more questions do the research yourself feel free to leave them in the comments–along with a tip for my research time. 🙂

Fawnskin Folks
I was going to post my pictures from the creek today but it will have to wait since I have breaking news to get to before I head out.

Ed Gibson has been raising eyebrows with all the activity over at his place. No, he isn’t moving. He is prepping the place to hold a big shindig for his daughter who is getting married in June.

Postmaster Mike spent last weekend celebrating his parent’s 50th Anniversary. Big congrats but I want to know–where are the pics?

If you take your own mug over to Starbucks today, they will give you a coffee fill for free! In case you are not aware, they also have ceramic mugs and glass you can use to be more earth friendly around these parts.

Just heard a delayed report of bad behavior. It seems a few other locals have been banned from a local restaurant the same way GG was some time back. Seems a bit stupid to kick out all your locals one-by-one…but what do I know?

Speaking of restaurants, the NS Tavern will be opening back up again in May. Hard to keep up on the changes in hours around these parts. Locals chat about how business might be better if the hours were consistent!

Above: Local Monk Abbott Sombat takes a break from work to give GG the scoop.

Abbott Sombat (Wat Dhammasujitto Buddhist Meditation Temple) is having a big event in July 2011 with notables coming in from Thailand. He is seeking an additional cabin or two locally to rent for visitors. If you can help him out, leave a comment and I’ll share the information with him.

Finally, The PaddleFest will not be held at Fawn Harbor this year as it is moving over the Meadow Park.

GG is not happy about hearing this at all but the official announcement said that they have outgrown Fawnskin.

Have a great holiday weekend, and since Sunday is my birthday–feel free to give me all your dark chocolate you collect on Easter!



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This entry was posted on Friday, April 22nd, 2011 and is filed under Activities, Mountain Lake Resort, Mountain Wildlife.

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2 Responses to “Talkin’ Trout in Fawnskin

  • 1
    BadBear
    April 23rd, 2011 18:37

    Do not be concerned about the PaddleFeast being moved. B.B.L. will screw it up so bad it will downsize and be back in Fawnskin in no more than two years.

  • 2
    GG (Gossip Girl)
    April 25th, 2011 08:11

    LOL Okay, thanks for the note. I just think it is a slap in the face since we have several locations that would make it possible to hold the event and parking despite the claims that they outgrew the space. It would take some work to sort it out but since it seemed like a closed “club” of participants–they can all rally over there and leave the rest of us to enjoy the pristine environment in Fawnskin.